169-172
Chapter 169: Planting the Banner Five Thousand Miles Out
The boy's expression shifted slightly as Li Hao saw through his identity with a single glance.
He surreptitiously observed the youth, whose aura exuded tranquility. It was difficult to reconcile this image with the ferocious figure he had witnessed beyond the Pass.
However, he knew that any carelessness on his part could cost him his life.
"Greetings, Young General."
He bowed respectfully, then spoke with a hint of nervousness:
"I come bearing a message. During your recent cleansing beyond the Pass, you destroyed the palaces and cave dwellings of three Demon Kings. They have requested that our Heavenly Dipper Hall inquire about how Young General intends to compensate them."
"Compensation?"
Li Hao looked at him with surprise. "What compensation do they seek?"
"They hope for an apology from you and a guarantee that you will not encroach upon their territory again, ensuring peaceful coexistence. In return, they promise that Heaven's Gate Pass will remain undisturbed, allowing you to complete your three-year garrison duty smoothly."
The boy spoke respectfully, but his voice trembled slightly.
Li Hao narrowed his eyes and chuckled. "They even know that I'm stationed here for three years. It seems you've done your homework on me. In that case, tell them that the compensation is right here. They can have whatever they want, but they'll have to come and get it themselves."
"This..."
The boy's face fell. "Young General, we're trying to negotiate. Please don't be angry. You can't possibly stay at Heaven's Gate Pass forever. I urge you to reconsider."
"Hmm?"
Li Hao's gaze intensified, as if carrying immense pressure, bearing down on the boy. The boy's feathers erupted from his skin in fear, nearly revealing his true form.
His body bent, forcing him to kneel on the ground.
"Mercy, Young General! Mercy!"
The boy's protruding bird beak pleaded desperately.
Li Hao withdrew his gaze and spoke calmly, "I've said my piece. If they want compensation, let them come in person. What compensation can they expect if they cower in fear? Didn't your Heavenly Dipper Hall tell them how I flattened their mountain peaks?"
The boy stammered nervously, "We told them, but they are very angry..."
Li Hao interrupted him, "Could it be that your true purpose here is to test my patience, or perhaps something else?"
The boy's heart constricted, nearly letting out a scream. However, he managed a forced smile and said,
"Of course not. Although our Heavenly Dipper Hall is a demon faction, we never participate in wars. We also have some collaborations with your human race. We are merely messengers."
"Oh? Then tell me, who are you collaborating with in our human race?"
"This, this I do not know. My cultivation is too low..." the boy trembled.
Li Hao grew tired of this charade with a minor character. He said coldly, "Get out."
"Yes, thank you, Young General, for sparing my life..."
The boy felt the oppressive pressure lift from him. He scrambled to his feet and prepared to leave.
"Wait."
Li Hao stopped him. "Leaving empty-handed? Qianqian, give him my military banner."
Ren Qianqian, who had been listening intently, was startled. She reacted quickly, pulling out the military banner from the side of the courtyard and tossing it to the bird demon boy.
The bird demon boy caught it, looking at Li Hao with a mixture of nervousness and confusion.
"Take my banner and return to your demon territory. Plant it on the furthest mountain peak I reached. Your Heavenly Dipper Hall should know which one I'm referring to, right?"
Li Hao's eyes were cold as he stared at the bird demon boy. "The next time I patrol, if I see my banner fallen or damaged, I will once again cleanse the entire area beyond the Pass, and I will expand the range!"
"Furthermore, your Heavenly Dipper Hall should be careful when encountering me in the future."
Sensing Li Hao's undisguised killing intent, the bird demon boy was stunned, his body trembling with fear.
Asking him, a demon, to plant this human youth's banner?
And it couldn't be damaged or fall?
Li Hao's previous rampage had extended five thousand miles beyond the Pass, deep into demon territory!
Now, this youth wanted to plant his banner right under the noses of countless demons. This was blatant humiliation and a show of force!
Overbearing, tyrannical, arrogant!
At this moment, the gentle and peaceful youth from before had vanished in his eyes. In his place sat a young God of War, looking down upon the world, making him tremble in submission!
"I, I understand."
After the initial shock, the bird demon boy stammered his agreement.
He knew that the only reason he could leave this place alive was to carry out Li Hao's command. Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to step out of this courtyard.
As the bird demon boy retreated, trembling, Ren Qianqian approached Li Hao, her face full of surprise.
"Young Master, you flattened the Demon Kings' lairs beyond the Pass?"
Li Hao nodded slightly. Seeing her astonishment, he smiled and said, "Train your sword diligently, and you'll be able to do it too one day."
Ren Qianqian's heart skipped a beat. She smiled wryly to herself. Her previous ambition was merely to surpass the Grandmaster realm.
Demon Kings... those were Four Pillars Realm existences.
However, Li Hao's words seemed to open a wider door in her heart.
Her eyes sparkled with renewed motivation for cultivation.
Just as she turned to eagerly resume her sword practice, Li Hao called her back, asking her to fetch stationery. He needed to write a letter.
Ren Qianqian obediently retrieved paper from her room, asking curiously, "Young Master, who is this letter for?"
"For the Liang Province Military Headquarters," Li Hao replied.
"Ah?" Ren Qianqian was puzzled. Li Hao didn't seem to have close ties with them.
"This visit from the Heavenly Dipper Hall demon is likely a probe,"
Li Hao explained as he wrote, "What Demon King seeking compensation? If they were truly well-informed, that Demon King wouldn't dare to even mention it, let alone threaten. I suspect this bird demon came to test my bottom line, or perhaps to see if I truly intend to stay at Heaven's Gate Pass for three years..."
Recalling the military reports and warnings from Fifth Uncle, a suspicion formed in his mind. Perhaps he was overthinking it, but it was better to be cautious.
Ren Qianqian's eyes widened slightly. The information contained in Li Hao's words was overwhelming, and she couldn't fully process it at once.
She only grasped one point: the Demon King didn't even have the courage to mention compensation in front of Li Hao?
What exactly did Li Hao do beyond the Pass?
Soon, Li Hao finished writing the letter and handed it to Ren Qianqian, instructing her to give it to Li Hongzhuang to be sent to his Fifth Uncle, Li Xuanli.
With that done, Li Hao turned his attention back to his painting.
...
Under the watchful eyes of numerous warriors and soldiers, the bird demon boy nervously flew out of the new border city, soaring into the sky.
He accelerated once he reached the clouds, only slowing down when he was seven or eight hundred miles away. Several other bird demons were waiting for him in the cloud layer.
"Why did you steal a military banner?"
One of the bird demons, a red-feathered figure, transformed into a young woman in a red dress. Recognizing the banner in the boy's hand as Li Hao's, she spoke with a hint of exasperation.
The bird demon boy nearly choked. Steal?
Would he be crazy enough to steal that guy's banner?
"Guardian, I didn't steal it. That brat forced it on me," the bird demon boy retorted, referring to Li Hao as "brat."
"Hmm?"
The red-dressed woman was puzzled. "Why would he give you his banner?"
"He wants me to plant it on the mountain peak he flattened and make sure it doesn't get damaged. Otherwise, he'll cause trouble for our Heavenly Dipper Hall and cleanse the area beyond the Pass again," the bird demon boy said indignantly.
The red-dressed woman and the other three bird demons were stunned. This was too overbearing!
"What about the task I assigned you? How did the probing go?"
The red-dressed woman glanced towards Heaven's Gate Pass, then pressed for an answer.
"That brat is too cunning. I barely mentioned it, and he almost caught on."
The bird demon boy recalled his previous encounter, his indignation replaced by a hint of fear. "From what he said, he truly has no intention of leaving Heaven's Gate Pass. That agreement is genuine."
The red-dressed woman frowned, asking him to recount the details.
After listening, her frown deepened. "This youth is indeed a serious threat. We should inform the Dragon Gate and the Holy Palace. If such a hidden danger is not eliminated, it will pose a grave threat in the future."
"Indeed."
The bird demon boy nodded in agreement.
"However, judging from the situation, he shouldn't easily leave Heaven's Gate Pass to participate in the war in Liang Province. We'll wait for the Dragon Gate's Grand Elder to emerge from seclusion and deal with him then."
The red-dressed woman said, glancing at the banner in his hand.
"Let's go. Plant the banner. Consider it granting him a mountain. Inform the surrounding demons to avoid that mountain. Let's avoid confrontation for now."
"Alright."
The bird demons flew towards the distance.
...
Liang Province, Western Region.
A blood eagle flew into the military camp, landing on the arm of a lieutenant's attendant. The lieutenant received the oil paper-wrapped letter from the eagle's beak and quickly delivered it to Li Xuanli inside the tent.
"A letter from my younger sister?"
Li Xuanli was surprised to hear the lieutenant's report. He had just sent a letter to Heaven's Gate Pass and received a reply so soon.
During this critical period, frequent correspondence was not ideal, as it risked interception.
He quickly opened the letter and scanned its contents. Soon, his expression turned grave.
"The demons intend to attack Liang Province?"
"How did Hao'er know?"
Li Xuanli was surprised and intrigued to see that the letter was from his nephew.
The letter didn't explain the reason, only mentioning it as a speculation and urging him to monitor the demons' movements.
Recalling the previous withdrawal of demons from the border, Li Xuanli's heart skipped a beat. Could it be that their retreat was merely a feint, and they hadn't truly abandoned their plans for Liang Province?
He put away the letter and immediately summoned his lieutenant's attendant, ordering him to closely monitor every movement beyond the Pass and dispatch the reconnaissance teams to scout even further afield.
...
Time flew by.
Heaven's Gate Pass, Cangya City.
Not long after the bird demon boy's departure, Li Hao ventured beyond the Pass again. The areas he had previously cleansed were once again teeming with demons, like bamboo shoots after the rain. He dealt with them swiftly.
Upon reaching the furthest mountain peak, Li Hao saw his planted banner. There were no demons around, as if the area had been cordoned off. He also spotted bird demons secretly guarding it. Satisfied, he then patrolled from east to west.
Wherever he passed, the Heavenly Dipper Hall was on high alert, hastily informing the demons in various locations to take shelter.
These demons hurriedly abandoned their newly rebuilt cave dwellings and fled, only daring to return after the youth had passed.
However, this constant fear and anxiety became unbearable for some demons, who chose to relocate, seeking refuge elsewhere.
Even if it meant crowding with other powerful demons in different territories, it was better than living in such unrest.
Once the area beyond the Pass had calmed down, Li Hao summoned his subordinate warriors, instructing them to utilize their networks to spread the word, seeking skilled artists in various fields, such as painting and Go, inviting them to visit Cangya City.
During this time, Li Hao dissected the Ghost Mother's corpse and, along with the other Great Demons, cooked them daily to provide meals for everyone.
His Culinary Dao experience soared, reaching the seventh stage. To reach the eighth stage, he needed 500,000 experience points.
A single Four Pillars Realm Great Demon could provide a massive 30,000 to 40,000 experience points, which used to be nearly half of the 100,000 experience bar.
But now, it was less than a tenth.
Even after cooking all the other Great Demons, he only accumulated a little over 70,000 experience points.
Fortunately, sketching these demon corpses had also brought his Painting Dao experience to the bottleneck of the sixth stage. He only needed to achieve "Heart Entering Spirit" to reach the seventh stage.
However, before that, Li Hao planned to find an art form to first condense "Entering Heart" and break through the third stage bottleneck of his movement skill. This would allow him to directly add points up to the sixth stage, drastically increasing his speed. Even some Four Pillars Realm Great Demon Kings might not be able to escape his grasp.
Li Hao gathered various refining materials obtained from the demons, along with Dragon's Roar, and sent them to the Ten Thousand Weapons Pavilion.
He left his signature.
For a second refinement.
The Ten Thousand Weapons Pavilion was a semi-governmental organization. As a Young General stationed at the border, Li Hao's belongings wouldn't be embezzled.
Li Hao tested the formation constructed by the Constellation Officer elder two more times, easily suppressing the five Great Demons each time.
The Constellation Officer elder repeatedly checked but couldn't find the problem. Finally, he had a sudden realization and suggested that Li Hongzhuang, a peak Three-Immortal Realm general, try it out.
As a result, Li Hongzhuang was beaten black and blue by the five Great Demons outside the formation and forced to retreat in defeat. This finally confirmed that the formation wasn't the issue; the issue was Li Hao.
The Constellation Officer elder and his students were speechless. They had racked their brains, pulling out their hair trying to find the cause, only to discover that the problem wasn't with them at all.
It was the youth's absurd strength.
Who would have thought that this fourteen-year-old boy possessed power surpassing that of an average Demon King?
The Constellation Officer elder and the others felt both helpless and secretly excited. Li Hao's existence undoubtedly heralded the future rise of the Great Yu Divine Dynasty. Given more time, the Great Yu would have another new God of War, standing shoulder to shoulder with the True Man of the Qiandao Palace!
Taking his students with him, the Constellation Officer elder bid farewell to Li Hao.
Before leaving, Xia Xianglan looked at Li Hao with a hint of reluctance. "Will you always be here?"
"I'll leave when no demons dare to invade anymore,"
Li Hao replied with a smile.
Xia Xianglan nodded, then added, "I'm from the Xia family. We are all families of the Divine General's Mansion. You're welcome to visit the Xia family anytime."
Li Hao shook his head gently. "But I'm not from a Divine General's Mansion family. I'm just a wanderer."
"But you..."
Xia Xianglan wanted to say something, but the Constellation Officer elder interrupted her. He glanced at Li Hao, sighed inwardly, and called his students to leave.
Li Hao escorted them out of Dragon Pass before returning.
Time passed peacefully in the absence of disturbances.
The dangerous lands beyond the Pass enjoyed a rare period of tranquility, while the city within flourished and bustled with activity.
Caravans and escort agencies transporting goods from various cities spread the word upon their return, letting everyone know that Heaven's Gate Pass was now a formidable fortress and Cangya City a prosperous and lively place.
With the gathering of caravans and travelers, people gradually settled down, buying or renting houses and establishing businesses.
Despite higher prices compared to the inner regions, it was still profitable for them to sell their goods here, eliminating the need for back-and-forth transportation.
The world bustled with activity, driven by the pursuit of profit.
More and more people flocked to Cangya City. Where there was demand, there was supply. Travelers and renowned martial artists also visited Cangya City, eager to witness the scenery beyond the Pass.
Li Hao remained in his fenced courtyard within the city.
Undisturbed.
He chose "Music Entering Heart" and spent his days playing the zither and listening to sounds. Occasionally, he would venture outside the city, sit on the snowy mountains, and quietly listen to the sounds of spring's arrival – the melting of snow.
Now, the snow beyond the Pass was gradually receding, revealing vast stretches of black soil that had been buried beneath the white blanket.
Green shoots sprouted from the black soil, signifying the return of life.
As Li Hao immersed himself in "Music Entering Heart," some of the art masters invited by his subordinate warriors through their connections arrived in Cangya City.
Li Hao welcomed them into his courtyard, engaging in discussions about music, painting, Go, and wine, seemingly indulging in the leisurely pursuits of a wealthy young master.
However, the warriors within the Pass knew the extent of the youth's talent. Apart from curiosity, they harbored no other thoughts.
Li Hongzhuang was surprised to see Li Hao neglecting his cultivation in favor of leisurely activities and refining his artistic sensibilities. However, she didn't interfere. She valued results, and regardless of Li Hao's cultivation methods, his achievements were already beyond reach for most.
That was enough.
These art masters initially thought that Li Hao's interest was merely a passing fancy, primarily driven by a desire to build connections.
However, as they delved deeper into discussions, some of them were nearly overwhelmed. The insightful questions Li Hao posed left them struggling for answers. They were secretly astonished and developed a newfound respect for the youth.
While they held warriors in awe, it was mainly due to their power. But to find someone who could engage in meaningful discussions about their lifelong passions instilled a different kind of respect – admiration, appreciation, and a sense of joy.
Through these art masters, Li Hao sought information about famous paintings and their whereabouts.
His efforts yielded unexpected results.
A master painter offered him a treasured masterpiece from his personal collection.
A Go master, known as the "Little Go Saint," gifted Li Hao two Go manuals.
Unfortunately, one of the manuals wasn't considered a renowned classic and couldn't be recorded in the system.
In addition, they mentioned clues about other famous paintings and their current owners.
Li Hao meticulously noted them down, planning to send someone to inquire about their potential acquisition.
Time flew by, and the snow melted away.
Spring arrived in the following year.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter 170: Twin Li Hao, Dragon Pass Road Impassable
A gentle spring rain fell.
The distant mountains and nearby forests beyond the pass were shrouded in silvery threads of rain.
Pitter-patter, raindrops struck the fenced courtyard, splashing onto the cracks between the bluestone slabs, carrying the scent of damp earth.
A pot of tea brewed in the kitchen, two figures sat at the table.
One was Li Hao, the other, also Li Hao.
Indeed.
At this moment, the two figures sipping tea and playing Go in the courtyard were both Li Hao.
Outwardly, they were identical.
Only the other Li Hao appeared slightly sluggish, his gaze somewhat dull.
"As expected, not very bright either," Li Hao muttered as he placed a stone, winning the game once again. However, no experience points were gained.
Even in this form of competition, the system panel deemed it a game against himself.
But the lack of experience didn't bother him. Li Hao had immersed himself in the Way of Go, and even without experience points, he found the game enjoyable.
The doppelganger before him, identical in appearance, was obtained from the renowned painting gifted by the painter.
The painting was titled: Two-Faced.
It depicted a young woman in a long skirt, gazing towards the distant horizon, bathed in the afterglow of the setting sun.
Seemingly simple, the painting held countless intricate details, masterfully blending light and shadow, symmetry, and other painting techniques.
Through the thickness and thinness of the lines, the flowing skirt was depicted with just a few strokes. The light and shadow on each fold were natural and symmetrical, a feat bordering on terrifying.
The pale red afterglow and its radiating hues were equally mesmerizing, like a furnace ablaze on the canvas, truly burning.
Even with his sixth-dan painting skill, Li Hao felt far inferior, unable to reach such a level.
He suspected that to meet the system panel's collection requirements, one might need ninth-dan skill.
Such a profound artistic conception was achieved by only a handful of individuals throughout history. Even among the renowned paintings and musical scores passed down through millennia, such masterpieces were rare.
Each one carried the legacy of thousands of years, their significance immeasurable.
After Two-Faced was collected, it vanished from the world, leaving Li Hao with a sense of regret.
Embedding Two-Faced into his Body Path granted him a unique attribute:
Two-Faced: Using your own flesh and blood, you can construct a Shadow Flesh possessing 30% of your original body's abilities.
Destruction of the Shadow Flesh does not harm the original body.
The original body and the Shadow Flesh are independent, without shared memories or vision.
Upon destruction, the Shadow Flesh's attributes reset. (Only one Shadow Flesh can be constructed at a time)
The original body can issue commands to the Shadow Flesh, which will possess basic reasoning abilities of the original body.
...
Previously, when Li Hao collected other musical scores, paintings, and even Go manuals, the attributes gained were enhancements to existing abilities. However, Two-Faced granted him a completely new ability.
Or perhaps, the previous attributes were also abilities in a sense.
For example, the Fatal attribute was a peculiar ability with a 1% chance of inflicting a fatal blow.
But the ability of Two-Faced was manifested in a tangible form.
This special attribute didn't offer a significant combat boost. It was akin to having an extra helper with one-third of his original body's abilities.
After testing, Li Hao discovered that while it was said to be one-third, the actual combat power was far less.
Due to the reduced abilities, the Shadow Flesh couldn't utilize the special states of Martial Dao Pinnacle, such as the Worldly Dharma Form, Divine Power, and Immortal Transformation.
Its physical strength was only 300,000 jin.
It possessed Qi Power instead of Immortal Qi, and its full Qi Power burst was less than 4,000,000 jin.
The Imperial Clan could achieve 2,000,000 jin of Qi Power.
The soldiers of the Yuan Character Camp had 500,000 jin.
The Shadow Flesh was only twice as strong as the Imperial Clan.
Fortunately, the Yin-Yang Dual Meridians weren't restricted. Activating them granted 8,000,000 jin of power.
Equivalent to four times the explosive power of the Imperial Clan.
Spirit Wandering, Object Manipulation, and other abilities were also reduced, roughly equivalent to twice the level of the Imperial Clan.
Based on the Shadow Flesh's combat power, Li Hao estimated it could suppress some Undying Realm Great Demons, but against Demon Kings, it would likely be swatted down in an instant.
Fortunately, Li Hao didn't intend to use the Shadow Flesh for combat. It was more convenient for playing Go, running errands, and occasionally clearing out demons beyond the pass.
Furthermore, constructing the Shadow Flesh was effortless. It was condensed from one of his fingers.
His original body's severed finger regenerated within minutes.
However, the Shadow Flesh's healing speed was significantly reduced. After testing with Li Hongzhuang, it was only about twice as fast as hers.
These were minor details. What truly frustrated Li Hao was the Shadow Flesh's abysmal Go skills. Its ability in this area was also only about one-third of his own.
But Go was different from martial arts. Playing against someone with one-third of your skill was like seeing through their every move. It was too clumsy, and winning brought no satisfaction.
The only consolation was that the Shadow Flesh could run errands and occasionally clear out demons beyond the pass.
Unfortunately, the Shadow Flesh's actions didn't earn him any system experience points. Otherwise, with double experience gain, it would have been truly delightful.
Apart from the attribute gained from the painting, the Go manual gifted by the Little Go Saint also provided a special attribute.
The manual was titled: Diagram of Heaven and Earth.
Heaven and Earth represented the universe. The Go board had 19 horizontal and 19 vertical lines, requiring 361 stones to fill.
Embedding this manual into his Control Path granted him a unique attribute:
Diagram of Heaven and Earth:
You can choose any object as a marker and imbue it with 50% of your power.
Once the marker is destroyed, the power will be unleashed.
Total markers: 180.
...
The 180 represented the number of black or white stones placed on the Go board, which was also the maximum number of markers Li Hao could create simultaneously.
Through experimentation, Li Hao discovered that he could imbue power into a military flag and even incorporate his swordsmanship during the process.
He infused a sword technique and 50% of his power into a flag, turning it into a marker.
When the flag was destroyed, the sealed sword Qi and power would erupt, indiscriminately covering the surrounding area.
This was similar to the formations created by the Star Mansion elders.
However, Li Hao's method was simpler, a single-target type suitable only for himself.
Under the Concealment attribute, it took Li Hao half a day to recover the 50% power he consumed.
In other words, he could only create two power-infused flags per day.
Li Hao wasn't in a hurry. Since he had time, he created a flag whenever his strength recovered sufficiently.
He had accumulated 16 marked flags in his courtyard.
Once the rain stopped, Li Hao would have the Shadow Flesh carry the marked flags beyond the pass and plant one on each mountaintop that previously held the aura of a Three Undying Realm demon.
Claiming the mountains as his own.
He would make it so that wherever his flags stood, demons were forbidden!
In the courtyard, Ren Qianqian was initially startled by the Shadow Flesh. After learning that it was part of Li Hao's cultivation technique, she calmed down.
Such peculiar phenomena as Shadow Flesh weren't unheard of.
Li Hao had read numerous ancient texts in the Listening Rain Pavilion and knew that some Three Undying Realm cultivation techniques allowed for the creation of doppelgangers. However, the quality of these doppelgangers varied.
Furthermore, some Four Pillars Realm experts were said to forge a mortal body, transferring their original mortal heart into it, while their main body condensed a Dao Heart and stepped into the Four Pillars Realm.
This was a technique for breaking through to the Dao Heart Realm.
However, this technique wasn't widely advocated, as it wasn't considered perfect.
If the mortal heart shattered, the Dao Heart would also be affected, like an overturned bowl with a crack.
Like the Li family and the Four Pillars Realm experts Li Hao knew, they generally underwent a complete transformation from mortal to Dao, possessing only one true body without forging a mortal body.
Among demons, however, the "Merging Hearts into Dao" cultivation method was promoted.
For example, the Three-Headed Serpent Demon Li Hao encountered previously could transform into the Dao Heart Realm if it could fuse its three heads into one.
The Myriad Caves Ghost Mother was even more extreme. She gathered countless ghosts, tore apart her mortal heart, and fused it with the hearts of myriad ghosts, eventually forming a Dao Heart Demon Seed.
This process was prone to causing one to lose themselves and become a lone ghost or a mountain spirit. Success depended on luck and strategic planning.
Every Demon King who reached the Four Pillars Realm had a tumultuous and extraordinary journey.
Once they reached the Four Pillars Realm and became kings, they rarely faced mortal danger unless they actively sought it.
Reaching the Fate Reversal Realm made it even harder to die.
Previously, Li Hao had the power to slay several Demon Kings, but in the end, only the Dao Heart Realm Myriad Caves Ghost Mother remained. The other Demon Kings had all escaped.
...
Time flew by.
The spring rain became more persistent, with occasional sunny days that were fleeting.
More and more military flags were planted beyond the pass, each one a slap in the face of the demons.
As the number of flags increased, some demons finally couldn't bear the humiliation.
Amidst a torrential downpour, an Unbreakable Realm demon roared as it charged towards a mountaintop where a flag had been planted a few days prior. It had been building its new home there, but now it was razed to the ground, leaving only a bare mountaintop and the lone flag standing tall in the rain.
Seeing the words "Haotian" on the flag, the demon's eyes blazed with bloodlust, its rage overflowing.
"Lord Longze, don't!" A Sky Dipper Palace bird demon arrived and cried out in alarm.
But the demon was beyond reason. Rather than living in constant fear beyond the pass, having to hide and flee every few days, it would rather find a new home.
It had decided to tear down all of that damned human brat's flags and leave.
The world was vast, and it could make a home anywhere.
Bang!
With a swipe of its sharp claws, the flag was engulfed, its pole shattered, and its fabric torn.
Before the demon could sneer, a surge of sword Qi erupted from the flag, as if cleaving the heavens!
It swept through the torrential rain, momentarily halting the downpour.
Then, the sword Qi pierced the clouds, tearing them apart and stopping the spring rain altogether.
Finally, it slashed down!
Like a casual strike from an immortal in the ethereal heavens!
The demon's pupils constricted in horror and disbelief. Where did this attack come from?!
It roared in fury, unleashing a torrent of demonic Qi, its scales expanding as it tried to block the sword Qi.
But in the next instant, the sword Qi descended, splitting the demon's body in half with a loud bang!
The sword Qi then dissipated, shattering into countless tiny fragments that rained down like a furious storm.
If it were just a split body, the demon could still survive. After all, a "mere fatal wound" wasn't enough to kill a Three Undying Realm demon.
Even with a shattered heart, as long as it escaped the battlefield in time, consumed healing potions, or preserved its life force, it could still live.
Relying on the body's regenerative abilities to heal a broken heart wasn't too difficult.
But under the onslaught of millions of sword Qi fragments, one instantly pierced the demon's body, and before it could even struggle, its soul was extinguished!
Its massive body collapsed on the hillside, at the foot of the shattered flag.
The bird demon that had arrived earlier was terrified by the erupting sword Qi and swiftly retreated, its speed allowing it to escape the attack's range.
It watched in shock as the countless sword Qi fragments relentlessly ravaged the demon's corpse until they vanished.
"There's, there's a sword formation on that flag?!"
"Impossible!"
"When did the Great Yu Divine Dynasty's Heavenly Observatory learn to set up such terrifying, such intricate formations?!"
The bird demon trembled, its feathers ruffled, its blood running cold. Despite the arrival of spring, it felt colder than the harshest winter.
This spring might be a season of renewal for some, but for them, the demons, it was a harsh winter!
The bird demon felt weak. It blew its Mystic Sound Whistle, and soon, a large number of Sky Dipper Palace bird demons gathered.
Seeing the clear patch of sky above the mountaintop, they were all surprised and chirped inquisitively, asking about the situation.
Upon learning the cause, all the bird demons were stunned, staring dumbfoundedly at the silent mountaintop.
The corpse of the Three Undying Realm demon still lay there.
One military flag had slain a Three Undying Realm Great Demon!
And such flags… if they remembered correctly, over thirty had been planted!
Moreover, every few days, more were added, covering all the mountaintops with rich Heaven and Earth energy within a five-thousand-mile radius east and west of the pass!
"These, these are all that young man's flags!"
"Is he, is he trying to turn this five-thousand-mile area into his territory?!"
The Sky Dipper Palace bird demons trembled, filled with fear and apprehension.
They couldn't comprehend the young man's power and abilities.
The red bird demon transformed into a young woman in a red dress. Her delicate face was filled with terror.
As an intelligence gatherer, she was well-informed and had witnessed countless geniuses and prodigies throughout the Great Yu Divine Dynasty's hundred-year history.
But the brilliance of the past century paled in comparison to what she had witnessed in this past year!
The terrifying power of that extraordinary young man seemed to radiate even from thousands of miles away, suppressing the current era!
She suddenly understood why the young man dared to guard the border alone.
It wasn't a blessing for them, the demons, but for that young man.
He was far more ferocious and terrifying than the rumors from Qing Province suggested. Like a freed ferocious deity, he was truly unleashing his sharp claws and fangs!
"Quick, quickly spread the word. Never approach those flags. We'll find someone to retrieve one later and see what kind of sword formation is on it," the young woman in red said urgently.
The bird demons, filled with awe, quickly dispersed.
...
Back in the fenced courtyard.
A system notification appeared before Li Hao. He saw the marker count jump from 35/180 to 34/180.
He immediately knew that one marker had been destroyed.
Li Hao raised an eyebrow and sent the Shadow Flesh to investigate, also demanding an explanation from the Sky Dipper Palace.
Soon, the Shadow Flesh returned, carrying the corpse of a Three Undying Realm demon.
Along the way, Sky Dipper Palace bird demons had been waiting, mistaking the Shadow Flesh for Li Hao. They apologized and explained the situation.
The Shadow Flesh remained silent and simply crushed the bird demon in its hand.
The Sky Dipper Palace was furious but dared not retaliate. The next day, they sent another bird demon to inquire about the reason. Li Hao stated that this was just the first lesson.
Actions spoke louder than words.
The messenger bird demon returned trembling, relaying Li Hao's words. The Sky Dipper Palace was both shocked and enraged, yet helpless.
But after this incident, the Sky Dipper Palace became even more diligent in spreading Li Hao's fearsome reputation. The Three Undying Realm demons, though skeptical, didn't dare to take any risks. They eventually left the area beyond the pass, seeking refuge elsewhere.
Although some of the mountains, hills, and swamps beyond the pass were considered "ancestral lands" by many demons – their birthplaces.
Even demons had emotional attachments and reliance on their birthplaces.
But they knew that as long as that young man guarded Heaven's Gate Pass, this ancestral land didn't belong to them.
Fortunately, demons had long lifespans and were more patient than humans. They could wait for decades, or even centuries, to return. By then, the young man would likely be gone.
And a hundred years was merely a period of closed-door cultivation for some Great Demons.
The area beyond the pass became increasingly desolate.
Only empty landscapes remained.
For thousands of miles, demons vanished, with only occasional clueless Lesser Demons wandering in.
...
Time flew by.
After the spring rain, the scorching summer arrived.
Azure Cliff City became more bustling and prosperous, with an increasing flow of people.
Under the blazing summer sun, a few travelers and a merchant caravan made their way along Dragon Pass Road, the path leading to Azure Cliff City.
Dozens of miles outside Dragon Pass Road, in a dense forest.
A massive, obese demon crawled out from the thicket.
Soon, it spotted the wide, white Dragon Pass Road ahead, its eyes gleaming with bloodlust.
Just as it was about to crawl forward, an old tree in the forest spoke, "Don't go any further."
"Hmm?"
The demon stopped, turning to look at the old tree demon that had spoken. If it hadn't spoken, the demon wouldn't have even noticed it.
Its expression changed slightly as it growled, "What do you mean?"
The old tree demon said hoarsely, "Go any further, and you'll be on Dragon Pass Road."
"Hmph, what road or not, what's so special about Dragon Pass Road?" the obese demon scoffed.
"Once you're on Dragon Pass Road, you can't go any further. That's human territory!" the old tree demon sighed.
"Human territory?"
"Hasn't this road been our demon territory for a long time? Do those humans still dare to come here?"
"You must be from another province."
The old tree demon swayed its branches, as if shaking its head. "The situation you described is a thing of the past. There are no more demons there now. Only the corpses of our kind, mountains of corpses and seas of blood!"
"Hmm?"
The obese demon frowned, looking towards Dragon Pass Road. It only saw a few delicious-looking humans, like walking desserts.
"See that military flag?"
The old tree demon's branches pointed towards a flag planted on a tall rock beside Dragon Pass Road. "When you see that flag, turn back immediately. The strong scent of human blood on you will bring you death."
"Hmph, trying to scare me with a flag?"
The obese demon sneered. "I've eaten entire human armies, old timer. If you weren't so scrawny, I'd make a meal out of you!"
With that, it ignored the old tree demon and charged towards Dragon Pass Road.
"Grandpa, it's not listening to you," a small branch beside the old tree demon swayed and said.
The old tree demon sighed but remained silent.
The obese demon had already reached Dragon Pass Road, rushing towards the few figures in the distance.
Its eyes were filled with murderous intent, and the wind it generated caused the flag on the tall rock to flutter.
But just as it was closing in, a gentle breeze swept through.
In the scorching summer heat, the breeze brought a refreshing coolness, brushing past the obese demon.
"This…"
The obese demon's pupils constricted sharply. It tried to dodge, but it was too late.
Its body suddenly split open, its innards spilling onto the ground, blood flowing freely.
The gentle breeze seemed to have originated from Azure Cliff City at the end of Dragon Pass Road.
Or perhaps it was the sword Qi that the young man had casually flicked a year ago, the one that had slain the demon back then. It had lingered on this road, and a year later, it returned to its past…
(End of Chapter)
Chapter 171: Li Hao Leaves the Pass, Liang Province in Peril (Part 1)
Scorching summer.
Within Cragcliff City, Li Hao sat in the fenced courtyard, enjoying chilled fruits while occasionally offering guidance on Ren Qianqian's swordsmanship.
Spring had passed, and he was now fifteen years old.
Ren Qianqian had just turned fourteen.
She had mastered a top-tier sword technique to the pinnacle level.
Among her peers, excluding those from the royal family, few could match her skills.
After consuming the dishes made from the Great Demons and the Ghost Mother Demon King, her cultivation had advanced by leaps and bounds, thanks to the abundant energy contained within. In just six months, she had broken through to the Spirit Wandering Realm and reached the seventh level.
Her current strength far surpassed that of the City Lord Li Hao had encountered in Azure Feather City, Qi Province, during his demon-slaying days.
At just fourteen, Ren Qianqian now possessed the ability to independently defend an inland city.
After all, many cities within the empire enjoyed peaceful lives, and the surrounding wild demons were generally weak. A Spirit Wandering Realm cultivator was enough to deter them, and with the city's protective formation, even a Heaven Human Realm demon could be held off for a while, allowing time for reinforcements to arrive.
Apart from sword training, Li Hao also shared his insights on opening the Yin and Yang dual meridians with her.
Upon learning that Li Hao had opened both major meridians, Ren Qianqian was both astonished and unsurprised. After all, Li Hao's strength far exceeded that of his peers.
Following Li Hao's guidance, Ren Qianqian, with a stroke of luck, managed to open one divine meridian – the Yin Meridian.
Opening the Yang Meridian, however, was extremely dangerous unless one was born with an open aperture. A single misstep could lead to brain damage.
Throughout history, countless geniuses had perished attempting to forcefully open the Yang Meridian, including some exceptional prodigies considered potential successors to the True Man.
Despite numerous attempts, Ren Qianqian lacked confidence. Li Hao advised against it, as it wasn't solely about courage but also involved a degree of luck.
Otherwise, with countless brave warriors in the world, the number of those who could open the Yang Meridian wouldn't be so few.
The difference between a brave warrior and a reckless fool often lay in the outcome.
Knowing when to stop was also a form of wisdom.
With the Yin Meridian open, Ren Qianqian now had the foundation to compete with the royal family's talents.
Most of the prodigies within the royal family had opened one divine meridian.
Those who could open two were considered exceptional individuals of their generation, and their numbers could be counted on one hand.
Besides sword training, Li Hao occasionally took Ren Qianqian with him on his strolls outside the pass.
They ventured further east and west. While they had explored five thousand miles deep into the demon territory, they had only covered about a thousand miles horizontally.
Li Hao's excursions caused a flurry of panic within the Heavenly Dipper Hall, with demons scrambling to avoid him.
He would capture some Fifteen-mile Realm demons to serve as sparring partners for Ren Qianqian, providing her with high-intensity training. With Li Hao overseeing the sessions, there was no real danger.
Through this实战training, Ren Qianqian's combat abilities rapidly improved.
Her battles against demons outside the pass were detected by the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion, and she was subsequently listed on the Qiankun Rankings.
Currently, both lists of the Qiankun Rankings placed Li Hao at the top.
Ren Qianqian ranked fifth on the Kunfeng List (for women) and twenty-ninth on the Qianlong List (for men).
Her fame rose, attracting the attention of various factions.
Most importantly, Ren Qianqian was incredibly young.
To achieve such rankings and accomplishments at the age of fourteen indicated a strong possibility of her entering the top ten of the Qianlong List and reaching the Heaven Human Grandmaster Realm before the age of twenty-two.
With her rising fame, many people dug up information about Ren Qianqian, discovering that she was the daughter of a Grandmaster and a former student of Sandalwood Palace who had dropped out. She was currently serving as Li Hao's sword attendant.
When Li Hao's name appeared in her profile, all interested factions raised their eyebrows and immediately shifted their focus.
Ever since Li Hao had suppressed the Buddhist Son with a single finger and defeated all the Grandmasters at the Grandmaster Assembly, his name had become a household name among the younger generation of the Great Yu Theocracy.
Any news related to Li Hao would quickly grab people's attention.
Over the past six months, young individuals from various provinces had journeyed to Dragon Gate Pass, hoping to catch a glimpse of this young prodigy.
Some even wished to spar with him, believing that even a defeat at Li Hao's hands would bring them fame.
This influx of people made Cragcliff City increasingly lively and prosperous.
In times of chaos, people seek survival; in times of peace, they seek fame.
Although the Great Yu Theocracy was transitioning from prosperity to decline, this subtle shift wasn't perceptible to everyone.
Throughout the mountains and cities, there were still many spirited youths, riding fine horses and roaming the land, chasing fame and glory.
Even princes and ministers were caught up in this pursuit, unable to see through it, let alone the naive young men and women.
When the elders of these families learned about the reconstruction of Cragcliff City's formation, the presence of a Four Foundations Realm expert secretly guarding it, and the two instances of dismembering Demon Kings and hosting feasts for the entire city, they didn't stop their children from venturing to this dangerous border region.
However, upon arriving in Cragcliff City, these youngsters were all stopped outside the fenced courtyard.
Inside, a young man played music and painted; outside, the Haotian Army stood guard diligently, and Grandmasters patrolled the surroundings.
Even if a youngster managed to deliver a visiting card through meticulous planning, Li Hao would simply hand it to Ren Qianqian to deal with.
It served as good sparring practice for her.
Very few among the younger generation could defeat Ren Qianqian. Among those listed on the Qiankun Rankings, there were only about twenty, and they were all prodigies from renowned sects who wouldn't come to the border to seek fame through Li Hao.
The rest were mostly young individuals over twenty-two, or even in their thirties and forties, who could still pose a challenge to Ren Qianqian.
However, even if they defeated her, they wouldn't get the chance to meet Li Hao.
The young man with a reputation that resonated throughout the land remained within the courtyard, countless people yearning for a glimpse, yet unable to attain it.
Fame and honor were separated by a single wall.
The path to pursuit was always arduous, which was why Li Hao chose to spend most of his time resting.
Painting, playing chess, playing music – all could be done while seated.
He would never stand if he could sit.
Over the past six months, Li Hao had integrated the Dao of Music into his heart, reaching the fourth stage.
He applied the newly acquired Heart Realm to his movement techniques.
With his Heart Realm breaking through the bottleneck of the third stage of movement techniques, and after three consecutive stat allocations, Li Hao's Dao of Movement directly reached the sixth stage.
Previously, when he allocated stats to the seventh stage of the Dao of Body Refinement, he had 5 Art and Skill points remaining. Now, with the Dao of Music reaching the fourth stage, he gained another point and used 3, leaving him with 3 points.
Li Hao saved these three points for when his Heart Realm reached the Spirit Transformation stage, ready to be used on the Dao of Control or the Dao of Swordsmanship.
After reaching the sixth stage of the Dao of Movement, Li Hao's previously mastered movement techniques underwent a qualitative transformation. The techniques evolved into top-tier movement techniques and reached their True Form!
Now, if he were to encounter those Demon Kings again, Li Hao was confident that he could hunt them down and kill them one by one!
Unless they resorted to defying fate and used their destiny to interfere with him.
But they wouldn't have that chance again.
On this day, the Dragon Soaring Sword, which had been sent to the Ten Thousand Armaments Pavilion for forging, was personally delivered by a Three Undyings expert from the pavilion.
The expert, a stout and sturdy middle-aged man, handed the Dragon Soaring Sword directly to Li Hao.
He personally delivered the sword not only to prevent the divine weapon from being lost but also because he wanted to see this renowned young man with his own eyes.
Li Hao's feat of slaying a Three Undyings Realm Minor Demon King at the age of fourteen had unsettled even these established experts.
"Young General, the Dragon Soaring Sword has undergone three forging processes and Starfire tempering. You can feel the difference in its handling."
The middle-aged man, named Lu Cheng, spoke to Li Hao with great courtesy and ease.
Li Hao nodded. He had been informed of this beforehand.
Initially, the plan was to forge it twice, utilizing the Black Bird Demon King's body materials and demon soul.
But after slaying the Ten Thousand Caves Ghost Mother, they were able to forge it once more.
If a divine weapon could be forged nine times, it had the potential to transform into a Sacred Heart Heavenly Treasure!
That was a weapon coveted by even Four Foundations Realm experts. Only a select few possessed them, and each Sacred Heart Heavenly Treasure was a terrifying weapon, capable of easily threatening those of the same realm.
To be classified as a divine weapon, it had to be forged with at least a Demon King-level demon soul.
The original Dragon Soaring Sword's status as a top-tier divine weapon was primarily due to the powerful True Dragon divine soul sealed within, far surpassing the Black Bird Demon King and the Ten Thousand Caves Ghost Mother currently sealed within.
Now, after three forging processes, its power had significantly increased. The Dragon Soaring Sword's own sword spirit could injure a Dao Heart Realm Demon King.
"Six more Demon Kings, and it can be forged nine times, reaching the level of a Sacred Heart Heavenly Treasure."
Li Hao's eyes gleamed.
A Sacred Heart Heavenly Treasure required at least nine Four Foundations Realm true souls for forging, including both Demon Kings and human cultivators.
As he held the Dragon Soaring Sword, Li Hao immediately sensed the difference, not only in its appearance but also in its weight and feel.
Previously, it contained a hidden, fiery True Dragon power. Now, it felt gentler, like a harmonious blend of Yin and Yang.
Furthermore, the blade seemed sharper than before, with a deeper hue.
Li Hao didn't test it within the city, as summoning the sword spirits sealed within would undoubtedly cause a commotion.
"Thank you."
Li Hao said.
"You're welcome, Young General. Consider the excess Demon King corpses you provided as the forging fee. In fact, we've made a considerable profit." Lu Cheng laughed heartily, appearing incredibly generous.
Li Hao smiled. "If I find more Demon Kings in the future, I'll have to trouble you again."
Lu Cheng was taken aback, then chuckled. Hearing Li Hao speak of "Demon Kings" so casually, as if encountering and slaying them were a certainty, revealed a level of confidence that set him apart from ordinary youngsters.
But he also knew that Li Hao had a Four Foundations Realm expert protecting him. Perhaps it wouldn't be long before he received more Demon King corpses for forging.
After all, this region beyond the pass was a dangerous place, and encountering Demon Kings wasn't uncommon.
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Li Hao bid farewell to the sturdy man.
Later that evening, after dinner, Li Hao went outside the pass to test the sword.
In addition to the original True Dragon sword spirit, the demon souls of the Black Bird Demon King and the Ten Thousand Caves Ghost Mother had also been fused into the blade. When the three Demon King true souls emerged, the world was filled with a terrifying spectacle of howling winds, ghostly wails, and dragon roars.
Sword light flashed, effortlessly carving out ravines hundreds of meters long.
Li Hao let out a sigh of admiration, sheathed the Dragon Soaring Sword, and returned to the city for a good night's sleep.
Time flew by.
Unknowingly, more than six months had passed since Li Hao's initial sweep of the area beyond the pass, which had scared off several Demon Kings.
Li Hao used the Qiankun Diagram's attribute to transform all 180 placement markers into military banners.
A total of 180 banners were created. Eighty of them were planted on various mountain peaks with abundant spiritual energy outside the pass, preventing demons from occupying them for cultivation.
The remaining 100 banners were distributed around Cragcliff City, ready to be used to block demon incursions in times of need.
Only after creating a large number of banners did Li Hao realize the terrifying potential of this attribute.
They were essentially small bombs, each marker capable of storing fifty percent of his power. What did that mean?
If 100 banners were destroyed simultaneously, the energy released would be a catastrophic storm!
Although their power couldn't be linearly stacked, a simultaneous detonation would be enough to turn a radius of two hundred miles into a raging forbidden zone!
Even Demon Kings would have to avoid its destructive force.
The only drawback was that the attack triggered by a banner's destruction was indiscriminate, so Li Hao could only place them at least a hundred miles outside the city.
While ordinary armies wouldn't place their banners so far out or so brazenly, Li Hao had no choice, fearing accidental damage to the banners and the subsequent release of the placement markers' power.
With these banners, the formation, and his Shadow Clone guarding the city, Li Hao believed that even in his absence, Cragcliff City could withstand a Demon King's attack for a considerable time.
This meant he could finally attend to another matter.
Li Hao had been thinking about the reward from the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion for a long time.
The pavilion housed a vast collection of cultivation techniques, no less impressive than the Listening to the Rain Pavilion. If he could find other top-tier meridian opening and energy circulation techniques, Li Hao felt that he might be able to open all 108 major meridians!
Combined with his Yin and Yang dual meridians and a fully connected body, it would undoubtedly bring about a significant improvement, potentially reaching the peak of physical perfection.
According to the records of the Great Yu Theocracy, no one had ever achieved full meridian connection.
Perhaps there were such individuals, but their achievements weren't recorded, or the books in the Listening to the Rain Pavilion weren't comprehensive enough.
Li Hao suspected that the Buddha and the True Man might have achieved full meridian connection. After all, they had lived for an incredibly long time, giving them ample opportunity to cultivate numerous techniques, refine their bodies, and open more apertures.
For this trip to the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion, Li Hao didn't bring Ren Qianqian, intending to make it a quick trip.
He left the Dragon Soaring Sword with his Shadow Clone to guard Dragon Gate Pass and also asked Old Feng to stay behind and watch over the city.
Now, even if he encountered a powerful Demon King, he could escape if he couldn't win.
Moreover, after reaching the sixth stage of the Dao of Movement, Old Feng had taught him his movement technique, the Heaven and Earth Vanishing Art.
Li Hao's mastery of this technique was only slightly inferior to Old Feng's.
But with the Diagram's acceleration attribute, he could easily catch up.
Therefore, when it came to escaping, Li Hao was already quite skilled.
Compared to his own safety, Li Hao was more concerned about demons taking advantage of his absence to attack Dragon Gate Pass.
Currently, utilizing the Myriad Transformations attribute, Li Hao concealed his aura and followed the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion's guide out of the pass.
However, as soon as the guide left Dragon Gate Pass, the bird demons of the Heavenly Dipper Hall, hidden within Cragcliff City, detected his movements and relayed the information.
"The Heavenly Secrets Pavilion's guide has left the pass!"
"According to previous intelligence, he came to Cragcliff City to pick up that Haotian Young General. He won first place at the Grandmaster Assembly and received a reward from the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion, allowing him to browse their collection of cultivation techniques."
"He's finally left the pass. Is he leaving Liang Province?"
"Has anyone seen him?"
"No, but he's likely concealing his presence."
"Could this be a ruse?"
Within the Heavenly Dipper Hall, numerous bird demons chattered amongst themselves.
Beside the red-dressed young woman stood a purple-dressed young woman, a few years older, around fifteen or sixteen. She had a delicate appearance, with a purple feather adorning her black hair, adding a touch of nobility to her lively demeanor.
"Actually, there's no need for him to deliberately deceive us, unless it's to lure us into attacking Dragon Gate Pass. But the Dragon Gate and the Holy Palace have already agreed to swallow Liang Province first and then pull out that thorn last!"
"He couldn't possibly know our plan. So, his actions can only mean one thing: he's worried that we'll attack Dragon Gate Pass while he's away, so he's hiding his tracks."
The red-dressed young woman spoke rapidly.
The purple-dressed young woman nodded slightly. "Indeed. His worries are unnecessary. Attacking Dragon Gate Pass without killing him is pointless. While this young man is at the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion cultivating, it's the perfect opportunity to attack Liang Province. It will take him some time."
"Immediately inform the Dragon Gate and inquire about their Grand Elder's progress in seclusion."
"Yes, Elder."
(End of Chapter)
Chapter 172: Learning the Secrets of Heaven (Part 2 - Seeking Monthly Votes)
Deep within a lake, two thousand miles west of the Liang Province border, shadowy figures drifted languidly beneath the surface, like colossal beasts lurking in the abyss, exuding an aura of dread.
Suddenly, a crimson bird descended from the sky with a whoosh.
As it neared the lake, it transformed into the red-dressed girl.
Hovering above the tranquil waters, she bowed respectfully and announced, "Red Cloud of the Heavenly Dipper Hall, greetings to the esteemed elders of the Dragon Gate."
A shadow abruptly emerged from the still surface of the lake, rapidly shrinking and taking the form of an elderly man.
"What brings you here?" the elder inquired, his gaze fixed on the red-dressed girl.
"We've received intel that the Young General Haotian of Heaven's Gate has recently emerged from seclusion and appears to be heading towards the Heavenly Secrets Tower, temporarily leaving Liang Province. Our hall believes this presents a prime opportunity to attack Liang Province," Red Cloud reported dutifully.
Although their factions were different, the Heavenly Dipper Hall always treated these powerful demons and monster kings with utmost courtesy.
"You mean that Li family brat?"
The elder raised an eyebrow. He had heard tales of Heaven's Gate, which had spread among the demons and monsters outside Liang Province. Heaven's Gate was now considered an impenetrable fortress.
From the information gleaned from the Phoenix Mountain Lord, who had joined the Sacred Palace, the boy indeed possessed the ability to slay Demon Kings. Even the Myriad Cave Ghost Mother had perished at his hands, a testament to his ferocity.
Splash!
The water surface rippled, and a fearsome dragon head emerged, covered in golden light, before transforming into the form of an elderly Daoist priest with a serene demeanor. It was the wanted Dragon Lord.
Having joined the Dragon Gate, he had become one of its elders.
"Did you witness this yourself?" the Dragon Lord immediately questioned Red Cloud.
Red Cloud replied respectfully, "Not personally, but based on our intelligence analysis, there's a ninety percent probability."
"Are you thinking of ambushing the boy?"
The elder beside him, discerning the Dragon Lord's intentions, narrowed his eyes and said, "Don't even think about it. Based on previous information, it would take at least three Demon Kings working together to kill that boy. Put your personal vendetta aside. Now that you've joined the Dragon Gate, prioritize its interests."
The Dragon Lord's brow furrowed slightly, his face darkening as he retorted, "This isn't about personal revenge. It's a rare opportunity. That boy's growth rate is far beyond your imagination. I fear that if we don't eliminate him now, the Great Yu Dynasty will have another True Expert on their hands!"
"You worry too much."
The elder shook his head. "Do you really think we'll allow him to grow unchecked? No matter how monstrous his talent, what can he achieve in ten years? Let's be generous and say five years? Hmph, he won't even have five months!"
"Once the Grand Elder emerges from seclusion, he will deal with the boy. No one can stop him!"
The Dragon Lord's expression shifted slightly, and he nodded. "In that case, I won't say more."
Red Cloud cautiously inquired, "Will you wait for the Grand Elder's emergence before attacking Liang Province?"
"We'll consider the matter ourselves. Thank you, Miss Red Cloud, for the information."
The elder replied with a smile.
Red Cloud understood immediately. They were dismissing her.
She cursed inwardly but maintained a polite smile, exchanging a few pleasantries. Seeing their lukewarm response, she didn't linger any longer, turning to leave.
"Hmph, wanting to extract information without offering anything in return," the elder scoffed after she departed, his smile fading. He addressed the Dragon Lord, "The Grand Elder will emerge from seclusion ahead of schedule, likely within the next few days. Whether that boy is in Liang Province or not won't matter then. Go and inform the various branches of the Dragon Gate. It's time to assemble!"
"We're finally attacking?"
The Dragon Lord took a deep breath, his immortal-like face revealing a hint of excitement. A bloodthirsty glint flickered in the depths of his eyes.
...
...
The main branch of the Heavenly Secrets Tower was located in Yong Province, adjacent to Liang Province.
Compared to the sparsely populated Liang Province, Yong Province, situated closer to the south, enjoyed a temperate climate and abundant resources. It was where the Tower Master of the Heavenly Secrets Tower resided permanently and was heavily guarded by the Helian family, one of the Five Great Generals' families.
For three hundred years, Yong Province had never experienced a city being breached by demons or monsters.
The people lived in peace and prosperity, a tranquility that attracted many noble families to migrate there. Through stable development, numerous prominent centuries-old families had emerged.
The journey from Heaven's Gate in Liang Province to the main Heavenly Secrets Tower in Yong Province took six days on horseback.
Li Hao and the Third Immortal realm elder who served as his guide traveled by air, shortening the round trip to just two days.
If Li Hao traveled at full speed on his own, he could cover the distance in a single day.
This guide was the Heavenly Secrets Mountain Man who had presided over the Dao Discussion Conference earlier. Having witnessed Li Hao slaying the Lesser Demon King at the conference, he was exceptionally courteous, showing no airs of seniority as he guided Li Hao.
Martial artists, unlike civil officials, valued strength above all else.
While civil officials often paid lip service to the principle of respecting those with greater knowledge, in practice, they adhered to the hierarchy of seniority and respect for elders.
Even a young scholar who achieved the highest rank in the imperial examinations would be criticized if they dared to criticize an ordinary, ignorant elder. They might even be subjected to harsh condemnation by those with sharp tongues, driven to the point of contemplating suicide.
The current emperor's favoritism towards civil officials had also influenced many military officials and martial artists in the court and the Jianghu, leading them to adopt some of the literati's mannerisms and embrace the hierarchy of seniority.
"The Tower Master has said that if General Haotian wishes to visit, he is welcome to study our collection for as long as he desires," the Heavenly Secrets Mountain Man said to Li Hao with a smile.
"If you put it that way, I might just take up permanent residence," Li Hao quipped.
"That would be most welcome," the Heavenly Secrets Mountain Man replied with a hearty laugh.
Li Hao's three-year tenure guarding Heaven's Gate was not a secret to the Heavenly Secrets Tower. They knew he couldn't stay indefinitely.
Soon, the two arrived at the heart of Yong Province, a city named Heavenly Secrets City.
A towering building stood majestically within the city, visible from afar.
Li Hao's gaze swept across the city, taking in the bustling streets and the vibrant atmosphere.
Along the way, he had already experienced the unique charm of Yong Province, which differed from other provinces. In the wilderness outside the city, there were more young men in fine clothes riding on spirited horses. On many mountaintops, groups of young men could be seen hunting demons together.
Even in the dangerous outskirts, merchant caravans were a common sight.
The number of demons and monsters here was significantly lower than in other provinces.
Li Hao had already sensed the peace and prosperity of this land.
Only in such a tranquil and idyllic place, reminiscent of a golden age paradise, would there be so many young men who, with their bellies full and nothing better to do, would venture out to slay demons for the sake of fame.
Soon, the two arrived at the main Heavenly Secrets Tower.
There were seven Heavenly Secrets Towers in total, each guarded by a Tower Master.
Although the Heavenly Secrets Mountain Man was also a Tower Master, he was in charge of a "floor" within a tower.
To be precise, he was more of a Floor Master.
Each Heavenly Secrets Tower had nine floors, with three Floor Masters like the Heavenly Secrets Mountain Man and a true Branch Tower Master overseeing the entire tower. Their foundation was incredibly strong.
This was one of the reasons why the Heavenly Secrets Tower could maintain its presence in Yong Province, rarely facing any threats from demons or monsters.
Now, Li Hao was brought before the main tower.
In the courtyard outside the tower, numerous disciples of the Heavenly Secrets Tower were cultivating. In the distance, there were towering waterfalls, deep pools, and chasm-like cliffs, shrouded in ethereal mist, creating a scene reminiscent of a celestial paradise.
As Li Hao landed, he looked up at the plaque of the Heavenly Secrets Tower and heard a voice drift into his ears:
"Young General, the tea is ready. Please come up."
It was the voice of Lu Chunsheng, the Tower Master.
Li Hao looked up and saw a figure in white standing on the top floor of the tower, smiling at him.
"The Tower Master has been expecting you," the Heavenly Secrets Mountain Man said with a smile.
Only Fourth Stage experts were typically received with such hospitality, with the Tower Master personally preparing tea. Even among the esteemed princes of the royal family, few were accorded such importance. The young man before him was an exception.
"Thank you for guiding me," Li Hao replied with a smile, bidding farewell to the Heavenly Secrets Mountain Man before flying towards the top floor, entering through the exterior of the tower.
The top floor was an open space resembling an elegant pavilion, with a long table, burning incense, a horizontal guqin, and the lingering fragrance of tea.
"Please," Lu Chunsheng, dressed in white as pure as snow, gestured gracefully towards Li Hao.
Li Hao sat down on a cushion by the tea table and smiled. "Thank you for the invitation, Tower Master Lu."
"It's merely the reward you deserve," Lu Chunsheng replied with a smile, his eyes studying Li Hao. His gaze lingered for a moment before returning to its usual warmth. "It seems the rumors are true, Young General. Have you perhaps already stepped into the Three Immortals realm?"
Li Hao was only fifteen years old. Such a question would be ludicrous and outlandish if directed at any other teenager, but when facing Li Hao, it wasn't so difficult to believe.
"Yes," Li Hao admitted, seeing that his cultivation had been discerned. He had already revealed his strength during his demon-slaying exploits beyond the border.
Hearing Li Hao's confirmation, Lu Chunsheng's eyes widened slightly, despite his mental preparation. Ripples appeared on the surface of the teacup he held.
"Young General, you are truly a once-in-a-millennium talent," Lu Chunsheng said with a sigh of admiration.
Even with his vast knowledge and experience, such talent astonished him. His respect for the discerning Emperor grew even stronger.
Li Hao smiled, took a sip of tea, and commented, "Excellent tea."
"It's brewed with spring dew collected in the third month, offering a subtle sweetness," Lu Chunsheng replied casually, a hint of satisfaction in his voice.
Li Hao, seeing this, didn't hold back and drank a few more cups. He then glanced at the guqin beside him. "Tower Master Lu is also proficient in the guqin?"
"A little, just a little," Lu Chunsheng chuckled. "I've heard that Young General has diverse interests and is a man of many talents. Would you care to play a tune?"
"Perhaps Tower Master Lu could play first and cleanse my ears," Li Hao said modestly.
Lu Chunsheng smiled and, without further hesitation, rose and approached the guqin.
He sat upright, adjusted his posture, and began to play.
The melodious sound of the guqin filled the pavilion.
Li Hao listened intently, then his eyebrows rose in surprise. He had initially thought that Lu Chunsheng's claim of "a little" was merely a humble gesture, but... it turned out to be quite literal.
Seeing the Tower Master immersed in his playing, Li Hao could only pick up his teacup and continue sipping slowly.
The tea was definitely more enjoyable.
Li Hao estimated Lu Chunsheng's guqin skill to be around the second stage.
For someone with talent, it was the level achievable after seven or eight years of dedicated practice.
For someone without talent, it might take twenty or thirty years.
Soon, the tune ended. Lu Chunsheng opened his eyes and smiled at Li Hao. "I apologize for the poor performance."
Indeed... Li Hao thought to himself, but he said with a smile, "Not at all, Tower Master Lu. Your guqin skills are quite impressive. You must have been practicing for a long time."
"For a little over fifty years," Lu Chunsheng replied with a chuckle.
"You play beautifully."
Please don't play again next time... Li Hao complimented with a straight face.
"Young General, would you like to play a tune as well?" Lu Chunsheng's smile widened, his gaze towards Li Hao becoming more amiable.
Li Hao shook his head. "My guqin skills are rudimentary. I wouldn't want to embarrass myself."
"Young General, you are still young. To be able to dedicate time to the guqin amidst your cultivation is already commendable. There's no need to talk about embarrassment," Lu Chunsheng quickly reassured, feeling a pang of guilt. He shouldn't have been so engrossed in his playing earlier, potentially damaging Li Hao's confidence.
Li Hao shook his head slightly and said, "Tower Master Lu, I am stationed at Heaven's Gate and need to return soon. Perhaps I could take a look at the cultivation techniques first?"
Lu Chunsheng sighed inwardly with regret, then said, "Alright, Young General, please follow me."
He led Li Hao downstairs and said, "You are free to browse the collection here, Young General. If you find any technique you like, I can authorize it to be gifted to you."
Li Hao gazed at the vast array of manuals, feeling as if he had entered a library.
All the manuals were meticulously clean and dust-free.
Li Hao turned and asked, "How long can I stay here?"
"As long as you wish," Lu Chunsheng replied with a smile.
Li Hao smiled back and said earnestly, "Thank you, Tower Master Lu."
Lu Chunsheng smiled and explained the classification system for the manuals. He then left Li Hao to browse the collection and returned upstairs.
Li Hao wasn't a Fourth Stage expert, so he didn't have to worry about him secretly storing the manuals in his Heaven and Earth space. Moreover, he had records of all the manuals, so he wasn't concerned about theft.
(End of Chapter)